Letters to the Editor: American culture, which candidate will protect troops, save the republic

October 29, 2012

American culture, education

I continue to read about the supposed "failure" of American schools to keep up with the top performers of other industrialized nations, and that we are falling behind in science and math compared to other countries. Some of this may be based on how data are interpreted and who is really being tested. But in reality, is it our schools that are failing? I don't think so.

Perhaps what is failing us is the "culture of education," or lack thereof, in our country. It is up to the parents to stress the importance of education and maintain a relationship with their children and their schools. The student is a product of the home long before he or she comes to school. Distractions such as video games, television with around-the-clock programming, extracurricular activities, movies, computers, cellphones, etc., are ever present. No wonder our kids don't want to do their homework.

For many students, school is viewed as social time, rather than a place for learning. The high childhood-poverty rate in the United States compared to other industrialized nations does not help the matter. If we as a society make education the priority in our children's lives, minimize the external distractions, and stop bashing our teachers and schools, perhaps this supposed "failure" would not be in the news.

Marcy Frederico Orlando

It's a matter of trust

Deberoh Watkins' Wednesday My Word column, "Which candidate will protect troops?" brings up an important issue. The president has the constitutional responsibility to protect Americans, and he must take whatever action is necessary, including war.

Having watched President Obama over the past four years and having reviewed his foreign-policy positions as a senator before that, I don't have to guess how he would act when confronted by a crisis. His demonstrated leadership, decision making and determination to keep his word on Iraq and Afghanistan are a matter of record. Obama's speeches and actions show the respect and admiration he has for our military.

Mitt Romney, on the other hand, is an enigma. Before the foreign-policy debate, Romney sounded hawkish, which is understandable since 17 of his 24 foreign-policy advisers worked for George W. Bush. During the foreign-policy debate, Romney agreed with almost everything Obama has done.

So Watkins' concern about who best will protect our sons and daughters serving in the military comes down to whom do you trust? Obama's record can be reviewed. Romney has no record other than widely divergent statements designed for the consumption of whatever interest group he is speaking to at the moment.

Anthony H. Lee Winter Park

Save the republic

Oct. 22 letter-writer Del Cain thinks the Electoral College needs to be fixed. This citizen and others who have the same thought do not understand the difference between a democracy and a republic.

One can validate the reasons our forefathers designed a government that was a republic rather than a democracy. They had a great fear of democracy because too often it became a mobocracy. Today, too many refer to our government as a democracy rather than a republic. I wonder why? Is this a case of if it is repeated enough it becomes true?

The republic is based on law and not on passing thoughts of the masses. One main reason for the Electoral College is to protect smaller states from the overwhelming power of larger states. Also, individual rights are protected by the order of law, but more important are the documents that are the foundation proclaiming the rights of individuals are God-given, not government-given.

Fix the Electoral College? No. Fix the flawed thinking of some citizens? Yes. The republic must be saved.